If you are engineering (or are currently undertaking) a trip to Hawaii, and want to check off what certainly belongs on every real bucket list, then Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has just simplified the math with their new Summer Golf Package… which runs Wednesdays through Sundays, each morning, and includes free transportation to and from the dock where the Lanai Ferry drops you, free rental clubs, range balls, 18-holes on the famed Jack Nicklaus-designed Manele Golf Course, and a superb prix fixe lunch at VIEWS, the course’s stellar restaurant, aprés golf. The tariff: $325 p.p. Just call: (808) 565-2222 to book.

This is a terrific way to spend a day of golf and leisure at arguably one of Hawaii’s top golfing venues. Named to Golfweek magazine’s list of Best Resort Courses, Manele’s breathtaking layout is built on lava outcroppings and features three holes on the cliffs. Its signature hole is No. 12, a par 3, where the tee boxes are 150 feet above the crashing surf, challenging golfers with a dramatic shot o’er the water and onto the green. Manele G.C. is the No. 2-ranked course, out of eight Hawaii golf destinations, on the new list, and one of only two Hawaii courses to crack the top 50.

Now, it is easy to look at what the media claims with a grain of salt. Lord knows we’ve all been had. But take it from those of us who live here: Manele Golf Course is the real deal. Totally unspoiled, rugged, cliff/seaside links, fantastic Nicklaus design, immaculate grooming, top-notch everything from Pro-V range balls to GPS-enabled carts, only the best, and I was once a rated for Golfweek, so I know and trust their criteria and can vouch for their rankings.

Now, many have heard through the grapevine that Manele Golf Course was to close this year while their hotel was renovated. You are correct: that was the plan. However, the course is not the one being revamped so why close it? Besides, the hotel isn’t complete closed anyway! C’mon!

Well, they worked it out and thank heavens you won’t have to skip put on playing this gem, and if i might go one step further… you should really just stay the night, or two, or three! Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has an Unlimited Golf Package that includes all the golf you can handle, on both the day you arrive and depart, for two! And, you’ll be staying in what is likely the best hotel room anywhere in Hawaii, although I haven’t actually stayed there so I can’t vouch for that!

The resort has quite a bit going on, and this is no accident: their leadership is a real standout from the typical laid back hotel managements we have grown accustomed to here in the islands. Yep, the resort’s top brass is having an impact on our islands and tourism in general. It is very noticeable.

Lanai is making news with deeds as well as words. Just a fortnight ago, the resort sponsored an evening of lively entertainment—entitled Broadway à la Carte—at the King Kamehameha Golf Club, on Maui of all places! That’s right: Four Seasons Resorts Lanai sponsored a cultural event on another island! Sound crazy? Not really: they helped a local charity, they brought some lively spirit to another island, and sprinkled a dash of aloha across our island chain! Simply superb!

In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to forget the meaning of the word aloha, but Lanai seems to have its eye on the ball and is leading by example by showing the world a new way of doing things, or rather, an old one…. A little taste of old Hawaii…. Novel, eh?

Whether you go by ferry, or fly there on Island Air, which Lanai owns, you’ve got to see, smell, taste, and experience the island and play Manele Golf Course while you’re at it! You’ll be glad you made the effort.